Signature-gathering or other machine.



O. A. J'UENGbl. SIGNATURE GATHERING OR OTHER MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 8. 1908 Patented July 29, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1v WITNESSES ATTORNEV C. A. JUENGST. SIGNATURE GATHERING OR OTHER MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. sv 1908 1,068,778. Patented July 29, 1913 a anus-sum 2.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNE VS C/zarles J5 fuenyszf.

C. A. JUENGST. SIGNATURE GATHERING OR OTHER MACHINE.

APPLIOATION YILED we. a, 1908. 1,068,778, Patented July 29, 1913.

a snnnws-sanm a.

Fig; 6

WITH/88158 INVENTOR 7 Cfiarles A. juenyst.

ATTORNE Y8 "crumplc up when lifted by the gripper.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. J'UENGS'IKOF CROTON FALLS, NEW YORK.

SIGNATURE- GATHERING OR OTHER MACHINE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. JUENes'r, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Croton Falls, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signature-thithering or other Machines, of which the following is a specification. Y

My present invention relates to improvements in signature gathering or other machines, and has. particular reference to the gripper or sheet handling mechanisms of such machines.

For the purpose of disclosure, the invention will be considered in connection with signature gathering machines, wherein the products handled are signatures or sheets, but I would have it understood that this is only one of the many uses of the invention, and that while particularly adapted to this use, it might be used equally as well with other than signature gathering machines, or it might be used independent of any machine at all.

()ne object of the'invention is to provide gripper mechanism for signature gathering or other machines which will seize the sheets or other articles and wholly sup ort the same without allowing them to bend or collapse.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a detector mechanism operating in conjunction with the gripper mechanism, which will be extremely sensitive and will detect the slightest change or variation in the-thickness of the sheets or signatures.

Other objects will appear hereinatteras the specification proceeds.

Vith grippers generally, and more pariienlarly those of signature gathering inaiz'ncs, it is necorsary to employ a separating device for separating the signatures, sheets, or other articles to be seized by the grippers. lcreto'torc this separation has usually been accomplished by means of twin suckers which engage the signature or sheet at two points. to allow the gripper to enter between these twopoints and seize the sheet.

By thus seizing the sheet between two points the sheet is extremely liable to bend or portwnntily c Then too, it' one of the two suckers-shouhl tail to act, as for instance, by not. coming in proper contactwith the sheet, the suction power of the other twin sucker would be materiallv lessened, so tha ii;- this way,. the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 8, 1908.

Patented July 29, 1913. Serial No. 447,523.

inefliciency of one sucker would react upon the other and destroy the efliciency of both. These disadvantages I overcome by using only a single sucker, that is, one having only a single sucker mouth, and in constructing the gripper jaws so as to straddle the sucker and to seize the sheet on both sides of the sucker. There is an additional advantage here, in that the sheet is seized by the griper at two points, instead of one, ,as was ormerly the ease, and by reason of this fact, the sheet 'is much less liable to bend or collapse. Under the old method, where the gri per jaws reached in between the twin sue zers, the width of the jaws had of course to be limited so as to pass in between the suckers. The gripper jaws were therefore of necessity, comparatively narrow, and as he sheet was supported only by these comparatively narrow gripper surfaces, the

sheet was very liable to bend in the middle. and droop, instead of remaining stiff and straight as it should. Now with my present invention,-as the jaws pass around the suckers, the width of the aws is not restricted and may be made as broad is necessary to properly support the sheet.- I

--have found that by crimping one edge of a thus crimping the sheet and by having the jaws of extra width, the sheet is entirely supported by the jaws and held in stiit'ened 'vcondition so that it may he properly handied.

Another feature u the inven ion consists in proyiding toggle connection for opening ant t lOSlDQ' the gr: ipeijtl\ f-i lllfll will rate of speed and has a greater range oi. movement than the jaws. By this :irrau' einent, the niiQlliCl variation in t e =l ness of the sheet m ignature wln'nsuch artir es are b ing handled l. ii a proc vi J: tiflI! in the 'tiuliro position o iiohfl so that the jaws; oi the gi'i pci' are very sitive to any variation in the ihi lzn the sheet. This gradual iedurtion in the cl sing movement oi the is elevation of my is adapted plished preferably by means of toggle levers connected to the jaws and so arranged that the toggle levers will be. in the more nearly straightened position wheh the jaws are closed, as the movement of the levers is comparatively slight and is much slower when approaching this position. As the movement of the jaws is dependent upon the movement of the toggle levers, the gradual reduction in the speed of thetoggle levers when approaching the straightened position, causes a correspondingly decreasing rate of speed in the closing of the jaws. The jaws are rendered still more sensitive by providing the movable jaw with a leverage extension for operating the same, which is'of greater length than the jaw itself.-

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, but various changesmay be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts, such as come within the intended scope. of the claims hereto annexed.

In the said drawings: Figure 1, is a side invention with as much of a signature gathering machine as is necessary to illustrate the application/of the invention to such a machine. Fig. 2, is a to plan view of the gripper jaws, showing in d. te .ines the relative position of the suc. with respect to the jaws. Fig. 3, is a front edge view of the jaws in their closed position,- showing the manner in which thelower jaw straddles the sucker. .Fig. 4, is a detail view in perspective showing the manner in which the jaws crimp a sheet to give it the. proper stiffness to prevent it from collapsing. Fig. 5, is a diagrammatical view illustrating. the respective movements of the gripper jaws and the detector, showing diagrammaticall the greater range of movement of the de-' tector at' a constant speed and the lesser gradually retarded closing movement of. the jaws. Fig. 6, is a detached view inside elevation of a slight] modified form of g, ipper mechanism. hi rear view of the toggle connections illustrated in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate like parts throughout-the several views.

lVhen used in connection with a signature gathering: machine, the

mounted to swing between the signature hop -r and the conveyor 3, of the sigathering machine, it preferably being carried by rock shaft 4;, which is caused to oscillate by means olf a cam or other suitable device, (not shown). Carried by the lower end of the gripper arm and secured thereto in any desired manner, is a relatively fixed gripper jaw 5, with which '7. This movable ate-d between two fixed aw,

jaw is preferably dependent ears 6, of on a. pivot pin 8, but if so .i the g. 7, is a broken gripper arm 1, is

to cooperate a movable or pivoted extending in rear of its pivotal desired, the jaw could be pivoted to the arm itself, or could be mounted in any other desired manner.

The suckers for separating the signatures or sheets, are carried by a rock shaft 9. one of the suckers 10, being shown in Fig. 1. The suckers are connected with the suction apparatus (not. shown) by means of tubes 11, or other suitable connections. It will be noted that each sucker is a single member having a single suction mouth 12.

The lower gripper jaw is U-shaped or in the orm of a yoke, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, it having bifurcated or forked ends 13, adapted to pass on both sides of the sucker, or in other words, to straddle the sucker, as.shown in Figs. 2 and 3. upper jaw consists of the shank portion 14, carrying the flattened and broadened portion 1.5, which overlies the forked of the lower jaw. The meeting faces or gripping surfaces of the gripper jaws are curved concave-convex, as at 16, to partially intermesh, The upper jaw is preferably the one with the concave surface,'while the lower jaw has a corresponding convei; surface, but this arrangement might be reends \ versed, and instead of being curvilinear, the

means of this arrangement of sheet-is bent .or criin ed at the edge seized, but the curvature of the jaws such that the crimp only extends part way across the sheet, Iso that the far edge of the sheet is unaffected. In this way, the near edge of the sheet is foreshortened and the body of the sheet is stiii'ened so that it may be held by the gripper without collapsing. The manner in which the sheet is stiilened and supported is illustrated in Figs. To increase this bending of the sheet, the lateral edges of the head of the upper jaw may slightly overhang the sides of the lower aw, as shown at 17, in Fig. 2. The pivoted jaw is provided with a levera e extension 18, point of sup port to which is connected the means for opening and closing the jaws.

The preferred form of the opening and closing means for the jaws ili' strated in Fig. 1. but the ja themselves may be conof any operating;

at a point vietwecn its endshead 7 eonuectei'l to a rocker arm 22. on the z'oek shafi This rock shaft actuated by any suitabie mechanism, such as a sum not Shown). Connected to the ievemge exi'eiision of the movable jaw, is a member 2i, which is preferably adjustable to regnla-iie the opening and closing movement of the jaws, This 'iidjus'tment is preferably eomplished by making this member in iwo telescoping parts, a sleeve part. 25 and a rod port. 26 whieh fits within the sleeve, the rod part being threaded, and the not 5', serving to adjusbthe Combined length of the iwo parts. actuating rod might be accomplished in oiher ways, or for certain piirgxises, this rod might be non-ad'usmble; In the. t-wo forms illneirated, di erent; means oflcorr neotion between the estimating rod and the iogg'le member are shown.

In the preferred construction (Fig. 1), a second toggle lever 28, is pivoted to the fa o lower or free end of the firettogz le lever at the point which point fol-motile center of the toggle mechanism. and the free end of the second toggle lever, pivotaily connectfil at 30 to the upper enii of the eeiuming roll. This arran ement permits of a lifting movement of ii actuating rod and an expanding movement of the toggle levers. A swinging link 31,, pivoteli con-- n -teol heiween the gripper arm and. the of? poviion of the actuating rod at the mint to retain. the movemem m il'ie I, 4.! in approximate pamllelisin to pea err. in order to reduce frictionimd v between the toggle .o prevent any binding 7 inemim-s, I preferably arrange iheee meznnew so thai the pivot joints betwe n ili zn all lie in the. same plane; C ne' w (YOHqf liSillng this res-nil i; ill] 7. Here it will be seen member ii: disposed an between its thus llifillnlilllg of the ter g iiie p1 vol 7 gle 3112i mtt il'ie 2; Toni F oin the o5" The adjustment of this iaw jaws is less and s "unify signatures,

Angus? 11., .1908, i

and the rod itself forms the second member of the toggle mechanism, the retaining link and the short biggie being 'nnneceseery in this form. Here. the detector is carried by the upper toggle member, it m'eferably projecting from a point of? the center of the pivofal snpport, of the rocking toggle memher.

2&5 ihe toggles straighten ut due to the action of the actuating or rock shaft and the upper conned-ion, a gradually retarded. movement is communieated to the actuating rod, and the jaws are thereby closed in a gradually ciecieasing rate of Speed. The detector arm however moves at :x constant rate of speed and on account of its length has a greater range 01 move-.-

ment than the jaws. The movement of the (ieteclor is therefore exaggerated vwith reeoeet to the jaws. The movement of the slower when the jaws are more nearly cloeecL in the act of gripping the slieei, but the movement of the detector is eonstaniand of greater range, the iglitesrt variance in the thickness or size of the sheet, causes a Wide variance in the p ftion of ihe detector. For'this reason a very slight v'urie tion from the proper posiiion oi. the jaws, causes the detector to fail to re ister with itile detector opening .in the or plate, and the detector mechanism nee operative, The detector is therefore exiremely s nsitive in its action.

ll Wiil no ainersiooci that the detector 0 eines So stop i-he machine as in the manner shown in. Duff ?etent' No. 761,496, oi May 23L B304 or performs a like service in the even; of {he grip =1" inking :1 faulty signatuie'or 'fziiiisig to take any signature at all, and eases. the iietecfpr is utilized to 1 aninpon certain parts of the machine to cause a separation of all books containing from the perfect books mending upj'ilieation filed :rial No. 147,977.

I" f5, ill Sidiitii diagrammatically HOPGT lOH movements of ihe gripper 0 the horizon'iel iinee as ClifjCiOSQLi in a 1 elm: new, the point on Winch the (leilie line 40, the are esion mews.

neiinfe gathering or gripper arm, arm, a pivoted w and pre- 2: rock:

shaft, a second togglemember pivoted to the opposite end of the first toggle memer, an actuating rod Connected between the leverage extension of the pivoted jaw and the free end a retaining link pivoted between the gripperarm and the actuating rod. Y

a. gripper device for signature gathering or other machines comprising a gripper arm, a support for the gripper arm, a fixed jaw carried by the gripper arm, a pivoted jaw ooacting with the fixed jaw and provided witha leverage extension, an actuating shaft, a toggle member pivoted to rock on the gripper arm, connection between one end of the toggle member and the actuating shaft, a second toggle member pivoted to the opposite end of the first toggle member, an actuating rod connected to the leverage extension of the pivoted jaw and having pivotal connection with the free end of the second toggle member, a swinging link con nected between the gripper arm and the actuating rod, and a detector arm carried by the pivotal center of the two toggle mem ers. 4

mechanism for signature machines, a gripper arm, stationary and movable jaws carried therepivoted to rock on the gripper arm, a rock shaft and means for actuating the same, connection between the rock shaft and the upper end of the toggle lever, a second toggle lever connected to the lower end of the first-toggle lever, and an actuating rod connected between the second toggle-lever and the movable jaw.

4. A gripper for signature gathering or other machines, comprising, a gripper arm, a fixed jaw carried by the arm, a pivoted jaw-coacting with the fixed jaw and provided with a leverage extension, a toggle member the toggle for operating the same, a second toggle member pivoted to the opposite end of the first toggle member, an actuating rod connected between the fee end of the second toggle and the leverage extension. of the pivoted jaw, and retaining means conncc 5:? with the actuating rod for guiding said. rod in an up and down movement as the t; are operated.

In a signature gathering n2 gripper arm, relatively an X (t 1 .i bio aws carried thereby, a pair of t i'evers connected between the movable aw and a fixed point on the gripper arm, said toggle levers being so arranged as to close the jaws when in straightened position, a detector arm carried by the toggles, and means for operating the toggles to open and close the jaws, whereby upon the closing movement of the jaws, the detector finger will have a constant rate or" movement, and the jaws will of the second toggle member;

i j I i i I i 1 i I l i i l I l l l i l i 1 and closing said gripper aws, embodying pivoted toggle levers connected l'ietween one of the gripper aws and a i itirely fixed point, means for making and breaking the toggle so formed, to alter lately close and open the jaws, the toggle le ers being of a length such that when the toggle is in a sub stantially straightened condition the gripper jaws will be closed, whereby as the toggle approaches the straightened position, he spreading action of such toggle being gradually less, the grippers will he closed at a correspondingly reduced rate of speed, and .a detector member carried by one of the toggle 'levers so as to have a relatively con stant movement at the time that. the gripper jaws are being ciosed at a gradually retarded rate. 7. In a signature gathering machine, a gripper arm, relatively fixed and movable jaws carried thereby, a pair of pivoted toggle levers formi" toggle, connected between the movable jaw'aru 2 fixed point on the gripper arm, means for making and breaking the toggle so formed, to alternately close and open the jaws, the t'- le levers being of a length such that r 1e toggle is in a substantially st; it itened condition the gripper ws will be on whereby the toggle approaches t e in giitened po sition, the spreading ac of such toggle being gradually less, the i will be hering machine, a gnatnres, pivoted er jaws being cl at and grip s of the sucker, g a. broadened gripper jaws, one of said gi- 'i,

forked so as to straddle th signature on opposite. sithe other gripper aw in head to cooperate with the iortced i male of the first jaw, and the two naving their gripping surfaces t ed tran versely of their lengt so as to crimp tlit gnature held thereby stiil'en it again? coliapsing,

9. .ln a signaturechine, cotiperating gripper opening the jaws and tor closiiv at it gradually reduced rate of and a detector member conn opening and closing n thereby at a suhstanijiall movement during the :losing movementof ivcment, w ith the :zid gylpgwr jam 9s 11g forked to and U10 other gripper 2Q wen mm of in: aw PPM head in pass m or point in im'm a flue -71 and Lu wgagcd by A JQUI". such length the: fmiwtl .urmimi of M14- ulhm 51m, and the jaws when in an! Hie s-anl No 511% Mining a! :14: mxiing n25 pmwtimm wnvwhv m; I gripping: wrfxm i'urwd irznwnwuly of I Arraigrjhtwzmi p xhii 'ueir h'ngth whemh" to wimp the I v 901'- J. and means for making; same and n em mllapsin g (ll-(remit a. mgglu m chm and 0pm; 5 Signed an; Aew Yovk, burmq of Manhattan in the (minty of New York and State 30 of (09k Lhis, (1:1 of August A. D. 1906- Q1... int Hwy Ting; muw inc, U11

ug gfl 10 eng the CHAS. A. J1 i x nniy (H the one pmni, of Nitm gnaw-in jaws arranged 0 Lake AXi-M v: ENEE nu'zz'ufi 3. ihaflicks-1', (mei G150. A. MARSHA r 

